Andrés Bello

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Andrés Bello (Caracas, Venezuela, November 11,1781 - Santiago, Chile, October 15, 1865), South American humanist, poet, lawmaker, philosopher, educator and philologist, whose work constitutes an important part of Spanish American culture. Bello is featured in the 20,000 Chilean pesos note.

Related Topics:
Caracas - Venezuela - November 11 - 1781 - Santiago - Chile - October 15 - 1865 - South American - Spanish American - Chilean peso

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He was known for his early writings and translations, edited the Caracas Gazette and held important offices in the government of the Captaincy General of Venezuela. He accompanied Alexander von Humboldt in a part of his Latin American expedition (1800) and was for a short time Simón Bolívar's teacher.

Related Topics:
Caracas Gazette - Captaincy General - Alexander von Humboldt - Simón Bolívar

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As First Officer of the Venezuela's Foreign Secretariat after the coup on April 19, 1810, he was sent to London as Diplomatic Representative and held that office until 1813. There he meets Francisco de Miranda and becomes a frequent visitor of his library in Grafton Street, as well as of the British Museum. He carried diplomatic affairs for Chile and Colombia. As founder of the American Society, he promoted the publication of two important magazines: "The American Library" (1823, "La Biblioteca Americana") and "The American Repertoire" (1826-1827, "El Rerpertorio Americano"). One of his most famous poems "Silva to the Agriculture of the Torrid Zone" ("Silva a la Agricultura de la Zona Tórrida") was written in that period, in 1826. It should be part of a long epic Poem, "America", which he never finished.

Related Topics:
Venezuela - April 19 - 1810 - 1813 - Francisco de Miranda - British Museum - Colombia - American Society - Silva - Epic

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In 1830, he was designated Rector of the Santiago College and became founder editor of "El Araucano". He held different government offices in Chile, and founded the Universidad de Chile in 1842, being its Rector the rest of his life.

Related Topics:
El Araucano - Universidad de Chile - 1842

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Important Works in this Period include:

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• 1847 Castilian Grammar Intended for the Use by Americans, the first Spanish American Grammar, with many original contributions, product of long years of study. Bello was accepted in the Spanish Royal Academy of Language as Correspondent Member in 1861.
• 1852 Civil Code, passed by Chilean Congress in 1855. He worked on this Code for 20 years.

He was elected Senator in Chile, where he also appears in the 20.000 Chilean Pesos Banknote.

Related Topics:
Senator - Chilean Pesos - Banknote

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